Reid Remarks On Republican Obstruction

May 21, 2014 | Press Releases

“My Republican colleagues have exerted so much effort to cause nothing to get done, but they prefer it that way. They practically break their backs ensuring that nothing happens here on the Senate floor.”

“Last week was another great example of Republicans’ fruitless hard work. Republicans blocked debate on a bill that would reinstate important, but expired, tax provisions – legislation that extends tax cuts and helps countless Americans as they recover from the recession.”

“We don’t need to waste any more of the Senate’s hard work on obstruction. Let’s get this tax extenders bill passed, and give American families and businesses a fair shot at prosperity.”

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke on the Senate floor regarding Republicans’ continued obstruction of legislation that will give American families a fair shot at prosperity. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

Being a United States Senator is hard work if you’re doing it right. It’s not uncommon for Senators to go without sleep to squeeze a bit more committee work into their day, or make a few extra calls back to the state. I’ve seen Members of this body work themselves into exhaustion for their constituents. But I confess, until recently, I’d never seen Senators work so hard to do so little. My Republican colleagues have exerted so much effort to cause nothing to get done, but they prefer it that way. They practically break their backs ensuring that nothing happens here on the Senate floor.

Last week was another great example of Republicans’ fruitless hard work. Republicans blocked debate on a bill that would reinstate important, but expired, tax provisions – legislation that extends tax cuts and helps countless Americans as they recover from the recession. This bill extends current tax provisions that have bolstered students and teachers, workers and employers, American families and businesses, saving money and growing our economy. Stunningly, some of the very Senate Republicans who developed and supported this package of tax cuts in the Senate Finance Committee actually helped filibuster the bill. The primary Republican who negotiated the extension of these tax cuts ultimately voted against them. You heard that right – Republicans Senators are voting against their own legislation. And for what? What have Senate Republicans accomplished, aside from bringing unnecessary anxiety to the American economy?

Here in my hand I have a letter signed by 152 associations, non-profits organizations, and coalitions, urging the Senate to pass these tax cuts as soon as possible. Why? Because, as stated in this letter, not extending these tax provisions “injects instability and uncertainty into the economy.” Many of these signatories are conservative organizations, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers – Republican organizations telling Senate Republicans to get their act together. Still, Senate Republicans continue to obstruct. They’ve broken my legislative heart so many times.

Instead of helping our economy, Senate Republicans have thrown themselves in front of this bill and ground it to a halt. What have my Republican colleagues achieved by stalling the work of the Senate? Nothing, aside from wasted time. Wasted time often seems to be the fruit of Senate Republicans’ labors. We don’t need to waste any more of the Senate’s hard work on obstruction. Let’s get this tax extenders bill passed, and give American families and businesses a fair shot at prosperity. I know my Republican colleagues support it, so they should vote for it. Let’s get the Senate back on track.